Shorthand-machine.



W. S. lRELAND.

SHORTHAND MACHINE.

3 SHEETS SHEET I.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, I915. I 1,216,998. Patented Feb. 20, 1917. 1

I u L. S ./Y/' RZ E I, a ix 426 Y .241 .1". 744,

, W. S. IRELAND.

SHORTHAND MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, ms.

1,216,998. v Patented Feb. 20,1917;v

JAK L- LNB @ITQ'LR B 3 &/ V

WORD STEM PREFIXES-IN ITIAL CONSONANT$-VOWEL5" FINAL CONSONANTS- SUFFIXES R E P R o v N G R E P R 0 V0) P n o v I N.G

r fij BEGINNING INITIAL MtDIAL FINAL ENDING VOWEL PREFIX CONSONANTV VOWEL CDNSONANT SUFFIX VOWEL v A I T I A N N s A P n z H r: N o E v s N T P A N l c K T w A R A N T Y BEGINNING INITIAL MEDIAL FINAL ENDING VOWEL PREFIX GONSONANT VOWEL OONSONANT SUFFIX VOWEL TRANSLAIIIO A 1' z A /N A AINING A #(B N H E N (a a) O I APFREHEND (LVR E N T EVENT B N .A N B T Y PHNICKY (p )v N L) A R yr N r Y WARRANTY v flfzf'A a another group of keys for writing final conwords, and a third' group of keys, disposed between the two groups ofv keys, for Writing vowels, thus encertam new ciated with. mechanical accomplished WARD S. IRELAND, 0F

ownnsnonq' KEKTUGKY,

sHoR'rHAim-MACHINE.

Specification of er t 'Iatented Feb. 20, 1917.

(Application filed June 2a, 1915, Serial no. 36,659.

To all 'wlwmz't may concern:

Be it known that I, WARD S. IRELAND, citizen of the United States of America, a resident of Owensborc, in the county of Daviess, State of Kentuc have invented and useful Improvements in shorthand-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification. I

y invention relates to improvements .in shorthand machinesl wherein the writing is accomplished by means of a keyboard assoprinting means, and more particularly to improvements in the structure of the keyboard of such a machine. The principal object of the invention is to produce a keyboard whose operation may be with a minimum of mental and physical efi'ort, and by which the language may be written with a minimum number of strokes, and, consequently, maximum speed. My invention particularly embodies improvements over such keyboards as were early disclosed in British Patent No; 3633, of 1882, and U. S. Letters Patent No'. 306,904, of Oct. 21, 1884, to Vicente Alonso de Celada. These patents disclose a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys, each having a character designation thereon,

there being one group of keys for writing initial consonants and prefixes of words, and

sonants and suflixes o abling theoperator to write at a single stroke, words containing a prefix, initial consonants', vowels, final consonants and a suffix. One of the objects of the invention is'to produce a keyboard comprising a number of keys having character designations thereon, or otherwise representing characters, which are so arranged that the frequently occurring beginning and ending vowels of polysyllabic words may be written in the same stroke in which the remainder ofthe word is Written. Y v r A further object of my invention is to produce a keyboard comprising three groups of keys, the keys of one of said groups representing characters which are arranged in such a manner that those' final consonants very frequently occurring either before, or

after, other final consonants may be combined therewith and written in the same stroke, and in either of the two relative positions. For example, in the word help the letter 1 pr'ecedes p, people thel follows the p. The characters are printed line by line, one line printed during each stroke of the keys, and

eabh character-occupies a certain fixed post-- tion in the line. Therefore, if the character 1 appears. before p, and at no other point in the final consonant group, the word people (written pepl), involving the use of said characters, cannot be written in a 'single stroke. closed includes means for printing certain a1 consonantsrat more than one pointv in the line, for instance, 1 may be printed either before or after other enabling, the operator to strokes and therefore in s' words which were formerly crating certain keys to print the initial part of a word in one line, and then performing one or more additional key operations to print the remaining elements of the word in one or more additional lines. Obviously, it is an advantage to print each' word .in a single line,

print, in single gle lines, many printed by opa single line than one occupying two or more lines; and furthermore a wordappear= ing in a single line may be written in about one-half of the, time requiredgto write the same word in two lines. attempts have been made to produce a shorthand keyboard having similar character designations at different points in the final consonant group, such attempts have not resulted in'the adqvantages which are derived from the final .consonantykeys of my keyboard. v I

A further object of my invention is to produce a keyboard comprising three roups of keys .(initial, character designations of said keys so arranged that many of the characters toccurring in both the initial and final groups may be struck with the corresponding fingers of each hand. I am fully aware that keyboards 4 have heretofore been produced by which the whereas in the word The structure I have dis-- final consonants, thus instead of several lines, as one can more readily read a word 'appearlng on but in so far as I am aware,

being I am aware that final and medial) with the ample, see the above mentioned C'elada patents; however, my object "is to produce a keyboard of this kindhaving certain other highly desirable features not found in the patent referred to, or in any of the prior 4 art, so far as I am aware.

make. some changes in the keys, but it is to 'My purpose is to accomplish all of the above mentioned objects wlthout sacrificing any of the advantages gainedby writing the the invention, I have shown a keyboard 1n which the character designations appear on be understood that the invention is not in any way limited to a keyboard on which the characters actually appear, for all of the advantages of the invention could beobtained by the use of a blind keyboard. Therefore, by the terms fla key having a character designation I mean a key for printing the character designation which may or'may not actually appear on the keyboard.

modification.

. in Fig. I,

Figure I is a diagrammatical View of a shorthand machine, illustratinga keyboard embodying the features of my invention, and also showing the line of type characters that would be printed if all of the keys were depressed simultaneously.

Fig. II is a'view of the keyboard shown illustrating the characters which do not have an individual key and printing means but are represented bycombinations of those having an individual key and printing means. a

Fig. III is a plan view illustrating a Figs. IV and the component parts of words in accordance with their subdivisions in stenographic writing. i

Fig. VI is a table showing how the words appearing in Fig. VII is a table showing how the nnssing characters are represented.

In the structure shown to illustrate the preferred form of myinvention, the keyboard contains 22 keys each having a char-. acter designation and provided with means for printing said character designation when the key is operated. Keys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

and the effects ofit to say that al- I V are tables illustrating Fig. V are written in cipher.

and 8 have the following character designations, respectively: A, S, B, T, N, H, L and R, which constitute what I term the initial group. Keys 9, 10, 11 and 12 have the following character designations, respectively: A, O, E and I, which constitute what I term the middle or vowel group. Keys 13, 14, 15, 1e, 17, 1s, 19, 20, 21mm 22 have the following character designations, respectively: L, R, N, M, B, T, G, L, Y and S, which constitute what I term the final group. The keys of the initial group are operated with the fingers of the left hand, the keys of the vowel group are operated with the thumbs of [the two hands, the keys of the final group being operated with the fingers of the right hand. The keyboard is, adaptable for use with a mechanical structure in which each key printing means and should the keys of all the groups be operated simultaneously, all the letters would be printed on one line and in the following sequence:

.ASBTNHLRAOEILRNMBTGLYS.

It is well known in the art that a word in its simplest and most representative form is composed of three principal elements; namely, an initial consonant, 'a final consonant, and a modifying or connecting vowel member, for instance Initial Final consonant. Vowel. consonant.

' M A N It'is true, of course, that some words are without an initial consonant, for instance-.

Final Vowel. consonant.

or without a final consonant- Initial consonant. Vowel.

Initial Final consonantsf Vowels. consonants.

R -OY P R OU D R- OU ND C It OW DS.

one general exception,

z freqnently occurring'a's the last 1 or addition, to the above coiistructidn of '-that is, polysyllabi'c words -ending with a vowel andalso words, which is found in those polysyllabic words beginning or ending with a vowel; beginning or containing at least a word stem comprising an initial consonant, a. final consonant and a medial or stem vowel between said initial and J final I illustrated in Figs.

written in cipher.

consonants. Of such words beginning with vowels, about 80% begin with either A,

- or I. Of those ending'with vowels nearly all end with the vowel Y. .Su'ch words are r V and VI,-the latter showing-the wcrdsjas' they appear when It is necessary in. a sh qrthand keyboard to. have all of the keys under the immediate,

control of the thumbs and fingers, and this necessitates limiting the IllllllbBfOf keys to k ,able, therefore, to'have'as few ble.

mg particularwords. combine to represent) maybe written, in With the initial group of keys (numbered vJtheir correct sequence with reference to all -1' to 8 inclusive) KI write all the initial elei the character representations, whether ac- .-the vowels that occur in- 510f *theword; andwitli the third In the same words (namely, final consonants suifixes and ending .me'dial, vowels. Q;furtherable to operate any-trall. groups simultaneously, I v.afn' abler to with the improve 'eep them-under such control. It' is preferkeys as possi-, In the preferred. .form "of the invention I have limited the'numberof keys in t0 eightthose in the final group. to ten.'. The little finger of the either the A or S sepasimultaneously by.

ting the little finger of the right hand, w ich controls four, G, L, Y and S. 'This fingering nay be modified to meet exigencies in writments of a word (namely, beginning vowels,

prefixes andinitial consonants) in their correct sequence and in the same stroke with the middle group I write in their correct sequence (whether single or compound) the body group Iwrite in their correct sequence and stroke all the final elements. of

vowels) that occur after ,the ThisQ'bing true and being o J he' structure entire words whateverjtheir elements and whateverfse ,written with the middle or yowel group bf; "keysi I f I am aware that structures havuefbeenprd-j 'duced whereby toia yeryalimited extent an;-

may occur.- By, ending vowels, renee to} those sounded vowels letter-of faore .than one syllablej and I -I ,have ,re- Q W r Y 1 not-to the. Vowel: in such words as tree,

' do, etc. the vo'welsfin these words being ending vowelis impljedlyreprcsented; in the same strokewith the stem of theword, such or final iwrite like reasons as when written in a sufiix by a suflix sign, as for example ,-ity, KWALT, T representing the sufiix- ,.-ity; or 1y, in truly, written TRUL,-L representing the adverbial suflix -L Y. When-written in this manner, however, the

and not an individual designation in itself adaptable to. use in correct sequence after any other final element of a word.

vowel is essenf tially a part of some suflix and so expressed,

in qua y, written Each key comprising only one letter, and

.'ering the arrangement of the characters. repthere not being suflicient keysin either I "group tomccomm'odate all the letters neces- I mention this cipher resented by my keyb0a'rd,'it must be borne in mind they must be so arranged as to permit ofnot I tore asthey may appear on thekeys in their correct sequence, 'but z'tained in their correct sequence'both with only the writing of the characalso that the missing characters h h those, on the keyboard rrepres'ented or represented by code.

"the arrangementof charac missing letters may be obcharacters represented by code and with.

the characters that appear on the keys.

For example, the table the cipher illustratesfthe (Fi vn show-filo used with the initial group, use .of the characters NI-I t represent the missing letter F; NH may" safelybe used in combinationto represent a missing letter without misreading thecombinat iomas letters beginning a word,'there being. no word beginning. with the two onsonants'Nl-I'Iin sequence. Hence, 1e, ers

usedi in building up-.the' cipher must be such as 'wi ll.not. be read as part of the regular; spelling or stead ;of the character their combination represents..' the -l'etter F combines 'withL or R following it; (flow and from) or With S preceding it as in sphere (ph having the phonetic value 'ofF) For.

sound of the word, in

It willbe. further observed that-. in the initial part of the word are the 'giveneipher representa -tions for the other missihgfiharfacters pref-" erably-in accordance with the table shown 7 andto point out'the importance of such an' astound) but not with tea.

arrangement in enabling me to write any or all the elements of a word in a' single stroke. That-is, to write beginning or ending vowel or both in the same stroke with initial consonants, prefixes, final consonants, and sufiixes or either of them.

It is obvious that in selecting the letters which the keys of the initial group are respectively to designate, I .have arranged the characters in the order in which they occur in the various known initial combinations of words or word stems. For example, words or syllables frequently begin with the combinations as or ast (assert Words also begin with pl or br (play or bring) but not with lp or rb. ,I, therefore, place these letters in a sequence that will enable meto write them in their known sequences. In like manner do the middle" and final groups contain the preferred arrangement of char- ,acters.

Vowels frequently occur at the beginning of words, before the initial consonant/or consonants, or even before the prefix, and the vowels which I have arranged in "the initial group preferably appear at the 'beginning of the group. This arrangement is preferable because it enablesme to write a beginning vowel in the same stroke with the-remainder of the word, it being observed that vowels occurring. after the initial consonants may be written by means of the middle group.-' p

Heretofore, the practice in this art has been to write a beginning vowel. (one occurring before an initial ,consonantlwith the middle or vowel group of keys in one stroke on one line, and to continue the writing of the word in a succeeding stroke and on the succeeding line. For example, in the word attempt, the structures of the rior art would write the vowelA in one st oke and the remainder of the word in asucceeding stroke. It will thus be seen that, having arranged the characters on the keys of the initial group such-a manner agwto permit the writing of beginning vowels in the same stroke with the initial consonants of words, I save many strokes of the keyboard in writing many very ordinary words, and consequently, enable the operator to write more speedily. \l I In the same manner am I able to write with the final group of letters, and in the same stroke with the remainder of the word,

terminal orgehdin'g vowels intheim correct sequence- I have. included in my. preferred structure the vowel Y, as Y is the only vowel notice used terminally. except in a comparatively limited number of words, and this is frequently used as i also, as in the word written NOTYS, read NOTIS or notice. I also consider this a very valuable feature of my improved structure, "for the structures of the prior art require an additional stroke in writing this vowel when it occurs at the end of a word. For example, in such words as story weary,

etc., the structures of the prior art, not being provided with ending vowels, require an additional stroke in order to write the. vowel Y with the middle group of keys. It will thus be seen that in this manner my improved structure again renders possible a greatly increased speed.

While I have shown apreferred structure, act arrangement disclosed, but itshould be understood that variations can be made thereon without materially decreasing the effectiveness of my invention. For instance, as shown in Fig..III,I might add at the beginning of my keyboard two keys representing the vowels O and U which may be combined to represent E. These two keys would be operated by the little finger of the left hand. What I have endeavored to set'forth, is a structure which will effect a very great saving in time by'writing beginning or ending vowels in the same stroke with the other elements of words.

A study of the tables illustrated in the drawings will show that I am able to write at a single stroke, the vowels and consonants in the various-sequences in which they 00- cur in words, and that I am able to write at a single stroke beginning vowels, initial consonants, medial or stem vowels, final consonants, and terminal vowels of words. I have thus shown that I can write the words of-the English language, including their three elementary parts (initial consonants, vowels and final consonants beginning andv ending vowels, in so far as such words and word stems. conform to their .for prefixes and suflixes of words, using for my prefix combinations characters occurring on keys of the initial groups and for my suflix combinations characters occurring onthe keys of thefinal group. -By prefixes or suffixes of words is mcant'those initial or final terminal syllables which are common to many words, such as PRE', COIVL; TION-(INGF, etc., Figs.IV, V and V1.

Another very important feature of my new keyboard is the arrangement of the letters in the final group. A study of the sequence in which the consonants occur in I do not wish to be limited to the exp in a single; 'stroke, and llkewlse word stems as well as words will make it obvious that any two initial consonants occuring, in combination I have only one sequence with reference to each other. For example, S in combination with another consonant at the beginning of a word always precedesthe consonant with which it combines, while L or R, for instance,always follow the consonant or consonants with which they combine, and so in all such com-' write the e in such a word as chapel, its

sound being represented in the consonant L, and in writing stenographically it is the,

, characters or by -using certain combinapractice to omit silent and unnecessary letters Other examples would be in the words cannon (two final-'Ns), barren (N following R), banner (N preceding R) chisel (S preceding L), chills (L preceding S) By an extensive and exhaustive research it develops that certain letters among the final consonants are thus found in different relative positions. This idea of two al consonants having two sequences with reference to each other appears to apply to certain particular letters, particularly L R and N, but will also be quite extensively found with reference to S and D, largelyon account of the use of these two letters in the inflection of words. When S occurs in combination with another consonant to form a compound final consonant it usually precedes the other consonant except in instances where it forms the plural of nouns (tribes) or the singular third person of? verbs (he kills); One of the most frequent uses of D when used following another final consonant is in the past tense of verbs, although it does occur both before and after other consonants whenused terminally, as bidden, and bind, still it might be observed that, even in these two instances, the letter N brings about the double sequence. In final consonants D usnallyfollows the consonant with which it combines, unless its combining consonant is L, R or N.

It will be observed from the structure of,

the final group that I am able to write in their correct sequence and in the same stroke L, N, R, S, or D with whatever consonant they combine as final consonants.

By constructing the keyboard in this manner, I enable the operator to write the same final consonant in different positions with respect to other final consonants. This is quite important for, as previously pointed out, certain final consonants may appear either before or after other final consonants,

andif the final consonant group did not in clude the proper consonants at two different points, it would be necessary in many intain a few of the double stances to write the second of the two consonants in anadditional stroke, or to have a speclfic combination or-code to represent them. For example, where a keyboard of the prior art wouldbe able to write L after P as in the word people; in writing the word help,'it would be necessary on such a keyboard to write hel in the first stroke and p in the second stroke; whereas, in my improved structure I am able to write 1 in the same stroke with p, whether it precedes or follows thep. The same remarks would apply to chisel and chills; in fact,'to a very extensive list of very frequently occurringwords. Again I am enabled by my struc ture to eliminate many strokes of the operator, and thereby efi'ect greater speed.

Although by the use of arbitrary code tions of keys for individual sequences not otherwise obtainable (as for 1p in the-foregoing illustration) it may be possible to obfinal sequences on the prior keyboards, this possibility is so restricted by the combination that I believe it is quite impossible, with such keyboards, by such an essentially large use of arbitrary combinations.

It is further obvious that I am likewise able to write with my initial group, beginning vowels, prefixes and initial consonants in the same stroke, and with my final group,

final consonants, suflixes and ending vowels 1n the same stroke.

Sincethe main purpose of shorthand machinesis to save time and labor by writing words very quickly and in the fewest possible number of strokes, it will be apparent and arrange ment of characters on the former keyboards,

to gain any great advantage that my new structure includes several.

highly desirable new features. The vowel key or keys preceding initial consonant keys involves a new combination and ment of parts, whereb many frequentl occurring words former y requiring a mu tiplicity of strokes, may be written in single strokes. A similar advantage is gained by the new arrangement and combination of elements producing the final group of keys, and inasmuch as speed is one of the-primary arrangeand very essential characteristics of shorthand writing, the advantages resulting from the new combination j and arrangement of elements will be readily appreciated. Moreover, it is important to notethat I have gained all-of these advantages by the use of a convenient-number of keys under the immediate control of the fingers and thumbs of the operator.

I claim 1'. In a shorthand machine, a keyboard, 7

comprising a plurality of keys having character designations and arranged 1n such sequence that a beginning vowel may be writ- 13o ten in the same stroke with the stem of the. word. I

2. In a shorthand machine, a keyboard, comprising a plurality of keys having character designations and Tarranged in such sequence that an ending vowel maybe written in the same stroke with the stem of the word.

3. In a shorthand machine a keyboard comprising a'plurality of keys having character designations arranged in such sequence that both a beginning and an endingvowel may be written inthe same stroke with the stem of the word.

4. In a shorthand machine a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys having character designations arranged in such sequence that a beginning vowel and a prefix may be written in the same stroke with the stem of the word.

5. In a shorthand machine a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys having character designationsand arranged in, such sequence that "a suflix 'and an ending vowel may be written in the same stroke with the stem of a word.

6. In a shorthand machine a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys having character designations and arranged in such sebeginning vowel and a sufiix quence that a the same stroke with the may be written in stem of the word. 7. In a shorthand machine a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys having character designations and arranged in such sequence that a prefix and an ending vowel may be written in the same stroke with the stem of the word.

8.- In a shorthand machine a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys having character designations representing in a single strolge a beginning vowel and the stem of a wor 9. In a shorthand machine a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys having char-- acter designations representing in a single stroke an ending vowel and the stem of a word.

10. In a shorthand machine a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys havingcharacter designations representing in a single stroke both a beginning and an ending vowel and the stem of a word.

\ 11. In-a shorthand machine, a keyboard, comprising three groups of'keys,,the keys of one ofsaid groups containing character designations arranged in such a sequencethat, either singly or in combination, they are in dicative of beginning vowels and initial consonantswhen written either separately or in combination with each other..

12. Ina shorthand machlne, a keyboard,

-comprising three groups of keys, the keys of one of said groups containing character des ignations arranged 1n such a sequence that, either slngly or in combination, they are incomprising a plurality of keys ignations arranged in such a sequence that,

either singly or in combination, they are indicative of beginning vowels and initial consonants, when written either separately or in combination with each other; another of said groups containing character designations arranged in such a sequence that, either singly or in combination, they are indicative of ending vowels and final consonants, when written either separately or in combination with each other; and a third group of keys containing character designations arranged in such a sequence that, either singly or in combination, they are indicative of vowels and diphthongs;

14, In a shorthand machine a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys having character designations which by means of their relative locations and the employment of a cipher represent in a single stroke a beginning vowel and the stem of a word.

15. In a shorthand. machine a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys having character designations which by means of their relative locations and the employment of a cipher represent in a single stroke an ending vowel and the stem of a word.

16. In a shorthand machine a keyboard having char acter designations which by means of their relative locations and the employment of a cipher represent in a single stroke both a beginning vowel and an ending vowel and the stem of a word.

17. In a shorthand machine, means for writing a line of characters at a single stroke,

said means including a series of initial cona series of medial vowel keys for writing vowels between the initial and final consonants, and an ending vowel key. adapted to write in a'single stroke a vowelfollowing said final consonants.

19. In a shorthand machine, means for writing a line of characters at a single "stroke, said means including a keyboard having an initial group of keys comprising initial consonant keys and a primary vowel key preceding said initial consonant keys and adapted to print a vowel before initial conso nants, a final group of keys comprising final consonant-keys and an ending vowel key following said final consonant keys and adapted to write a vowel after the final consonants, and

a group of medial vowel keys arranged to write vowels between the initial and final machine, having a keyboard, comprising a group of initial consonant keys, a group of final consonant keys, a groupjof medial 'or stem vowel. keys, and,

a vowel key following said final consonant -keys,'. adapted to write 1n their'correct sequence in a single stroke an. initial 'conso nant, a stem vowel, a finallconsonant, and an ending vowel. 5 22. In a shorthand machine,- keybdard, comprising .a group consonant keys, a group of final consonant keys, a group of medial or stem vowel keys, and a key containing a -Y' or I designation followin said final consonant key. I 23. In acojmprisinga plurality of keys, having character designations for writlng vowels and initial and final consonants of words, certain of said final consonantsbeing indicative of certain final consonants occurring twice and at different points in the same stroke.

'24. In a shorthand machine, a keyboard, comprising a plurality of keys, havin 4,0 acter designations forwriting vowe s and initial and final consonants "of words, certain of said final consonants being indicative of of initial shorthand machine, a keyboard,

chari quence that final consonants having a before' single stroke a beginning vowel, v

having' a certain final consonants occurring twice and 1n a before and after relation with certain other consonants with which they comblne when written in the same stroke.

25. Ina shorthand machine, a keyboard comprising a plurality. of keys having character, deslgnations arran ed in quence thatv'owels and initial and final con-' sonants of .wordsmay be printed'in the same stroke, said final consonants containing two designations for final-'consonantspo'currin either before or after or both before an after other final consonants with which they combine, so that said fina-lzconsonants occurring twice may be written either before I or after the combine.

26. In fa, shorthand machine, a keyboard "comprising a plurality of keys having character 1 designations arranged 'quence that final consonants fore and after relation wit other conso nants maykbe written in a single stroke in consonants with which they.

keys including pairs dicative of final consonants and com either or' both of relations with other consonants. I

27. In a shorthand machine, a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys having character designations arranged in such seand after relation with other final consonants may be written in the same stroke in either or both'of said relations with said other consonants without the use of arbitrary code designations for individual sequences.

writing a line of characters at a single stroke, said means including a keyboard having initial and final consonant keys, and medial vowel keys between said initial and final consonant keys, said final consonant of keys, the keysof veachpair being adapted to write at'a single stroke character designations representing the same final consonant :withres ect to the other final consonants with whlch it combines at different points '29, In a shorthandmachine, a keyboard, comprising three groups of keys, one of said comprising groups having character designations indicative of final'consonants and COIIIPI'lSiIlg L,

N and R in a relation either before or after, or-both before and after, the final consonants with which said L, N and B have a-before and after relation when written'ln the same stroke.

'31. Ilia-shorthand machine, a keyboard, comprising three groups-having character designations in- L, N,- R, S and D in a relation both before and after the final consonants with which said L, N, R, S and D have a before and after relation when Written in the same stroke. I

32, Ina shorthand machine, a keyboard;

comprisin'gthree groups of keys, the keys .of one of said groups representing characters arranged in such a manner that those al consonants frequently occurring either before orafter' other final consonants may --in such sehaving .a be

be combined'in their correct relation therewith andwritten in the same stroke. a In a shorthand machine, a keyboard including a group of letters r B N L S-T R arranged at oneside' of the center of the keyboard and' representing singly and in groups of keys, one of said prising 28. In a shorthand machine means for groups having character designations indiccom-bination, initial consonants and prefixes of Words. I

34. In a shorthand machine, a keyboard comprising an initial group of letters -ABNL s THE having the sequence ASBT NHL R Word.

for Writing the initial part of'a a keyboard In a shorthand machine, having a group of letters L N B G R M T L s arranged at one side of the center of the keyboard and rep-resenting singly and 1n combination, final consonants and suflixes of Words. i

36. In a shorthand machine, a keyboard,

comprising a final group of letters LNBGY v k R M T L g having the sequence LRN BTGLYS, for Writing thefinal part of a Word.

37. In a shorthand machine, a keyboard comprising a group of letters B N L S T R arranged atone side of the center of the.

' board and representing keyboard and representing singly and combination, initial consonants and prefixes of Words; anothergroup of letters having the sequence ASBTNHLR and final groupof keys having the character designations LNBGY' RMTLS' having the sequence Lii'NM TGLYs and a third; or medial, group of key's Aon in the same sequence;

WARD s. IRELAND; 

